John Ball’s Diary 24.2.13

HAVING partied late two weeks ago at the stag-do of former Bedfordshire on Sunday editor, Andrew Kelly, former BoS sub-editor, Jonathan Stewart, aka Raz, was looking forward to the evening ‘do’ of the actual wedding last weekend. He made his farewells to the assembled throng, saying he’d ‘see them all next Saturday’. Come the day, he made his way out to the Swan at Astwood only to find it remarkably low-key considering it was the nuptial celebrations of a journalist. Had he read the invitation properly he would have realised that the wedding was actually due to take place on Saturday, March 16, and not Saturday, February 16. But what’s a month between friends.

I RECEIVE a newsletter from Holywell Church of England Middle School in Cranfield. One sentence in the newsletter is interesting. It says: ‘Parents may have seen apparently enticing adverts for the ’Free School’ in Bedford. I should like to register very clearly indeed how much I would regret any family thinking this untried experiment school in the middle of a town centre roundabout could represent a better option for your child than completing their time at Holywell and moving on to Wootton.’ Not very Christian of them.

Wednesday February 20

MRS Ball receives a frantic phone call from her credit card company MBNA. They breathlessley inform her that her payment is in arrears and that this could have a major impact on her credit rating. Concerned, she asks by how much, #9 she is told. Relieved Mrs Ball offers to pay the deficit immediately by card much to the delight of MBNA. As the transaction is processed she is thanked profusely and then informed that she will be charged #12 for a late payment.....

Thursday February 21

A BOROUGH council report arrives today for the Standards Committee. The main item of business is whether to get rid of the Standards Committee. Apparently its work could be rolled up into that of another committee. As this committee is mainly there to ensure councillors observe a Code of Conduct, ie behave themselves, a separate committee looks a good idea. But I can see why councillors might prefer to bury it in another committee. Probably at the back of the agenda in the hope no-one notices.

A QUESTION was asked of Cllr Royden at the recent full council meeting regarding the proposals for the Riverside North development. He confirmed that they would be on display at the Council’s ‘One Stop Shop’. Does this mean that you only get one chance to look at them?

Comments

Mrs Ball better get moaning again. Although the Union flag atop The swan Hotel looks nice and pristine the message it send out is " We are in distress", whether that means The Swan or Bedford town centre we do not know.
The reason being is that the Union flag is being flown upside down, Her Majesty will be royally upset.